Looking to buy a Mini-PC

[JeroX]

I am looking to purchase a Mini PC I can use when I travel in the summer and to use at home for some basic tasks like video editing and gaming. I would like power similar to a 1060 since thats what I'm used to. My budget is $1000. Thanks for your recommendations.

 

[why_wolf]

do you mean something like this (note this still requires a HDD and RAM so price is probably over your budget)? https://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-Skylake-i5-6400T-GeForce-ZBOX-EN1060-U/dp/B06ZYRHQTB?th=1

 

[Eximo]

Laptop with a GTX1060 then. No need for a mini-PC specifically.

Intel's NUC with Vega is an expensive alternative, I just don't see the point unless it was like $600.

Those would both be a little over $1000, particularly the high end Intel NUC.

To really sit down and get a low-volume desktop with a GTX1060 in it, well that is a lot of effort, but certainly doable.

 

[Eximo]

Some decent coupons today for some Dell's with GTX 1060:

https://www.techbargains.com/category/359/computers/laptops

Tried out the coupon on the 8th gen hex core with the GTX1060 (Dell G3 15"), actually works, cart price is $899.

Very tempting even though I hardly use my current laptop.

 

[WildCard999]

Would a Node 202 HTPC be too big?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($178.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - H310M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($87.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - Blue 500GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB GT OCV1 Video Card ($299.99 @ B&H)
Case: Fractal Design - Node 202 HTPC Case ($76.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair - SF 450W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Corsair)
Total: $998.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-06-01 12:39 EDT-0400

 

[why_wolf]

DIY travel size.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($178.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - H310M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($88.36 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team - Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - Black 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($154.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB AMP! Edition Video Card ($299.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone - Sugo SG13B Mini ITX Tower Case ($50.12 @ B&H)
Power Supply: Silverstone - 450W 80+ Bronze Certified SFX Power Supply ($71.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $994.43
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-06-01 12:40 EDT-0400

 

[Eximo]

I also put together a desktop build using the Silverstone RVZ01B, but I don't really like the result. The good cases for these solutions are quite expensive starting around $150.

 

[why_wolf]

yes the problem with the small cases is always thermals/noise. You get stuck with short stack CPU coolers which are never that great and noisy. The SUGO does allow you to jam a 120mm AIO in it. After that like Eximo says you have to spend up for the more expensive but better cases. The pinnacle being the Ncase M1 which is $195.

 

[geofelt]

You might look at the hades canyon:
https://techreport.com/review/33506/intel-nuc8i7hvk-hades-canyon-gaming-pc-reviewed

The problem with these type of units is that you also need a monitor or tv to work with it.

For your budget, buy a nice laptop.
Lenovo Y520 might be a good candidate:
https://www3.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/ideapad/lenovo-legion-y-series-laptops/Legion-Y520/p/88GMY500808

 

[Solandri]

The problem with these type of units is that you also need a monitor or tv to work with it.

For your budget, buy a nice laptop.

Yeah, a mini-PC isn't really portable for travel unless you're also going to carry a monitor, keyboard, and mouse along with it. Or you have those available at your destination.

For travel, you really want a laptop. When used at home, you can always hook up an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and just use it like a desktop or mini-PC. So there's really no downside other than price and lack of expandability, which are also drawbacks of a mini-PC.

 

[JeroX]

Alright, guys thanks for all the answers. I am going to try to address all the points or questions I have received so far.

1. A Laptop would work just fine, I was just thinking about the price. The cheaper the better I suppose.
2. I have all the amenities like peripherals and monitors available at my destination.
3. I can definitely do DYI and don't mind any noise possibly created.
4. If you guys have any laptop suggestion they are also welcome.

I've checked it some Laptops and the Dell-i7577-5241BLK seems like a viable option although I would like to get one with a 1060 and a Gen 8 processor, and for that I would be willing to shell out a couple extra dollars.

 

[Jwpanz]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from JeroX : "Looking to buy a Mini-PC and need help"

Alright my dudes so I am looking to purchase a mini-PC which I can take with me when I leave for vacation on the summer and use at home for basic tasks like video editing and gaming. I currently have a 970 on my main system so something equivalent to that power like a 1060 would work great, if it is possible my budget is like 1000$ so please give me your recommendations.

The MSI Trident 3 could be your answer

MSI Trident 3 VR7RC-020US Gaming Desktop GTX 1060 i5-7400 8GB 1TB Windows 10 VR Ready https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAP5T5V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_yzyfBbGF7ANXW

 

[logainofhades]

This laptop would work.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAD357BU1765

Or a DIY, with an even better GTX 1070.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($178.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - B360M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($92.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot - Signature Line 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($78.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Toshiba - OCZ TR200 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($57.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Toshiba - 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.09 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Mini Video Card ($449.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master - Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $990.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-06-04 15:53 EDT-0400

 

[JeroX]

This laptop would work.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAD357BU1765

Or a DIY, with an even better GTX 1070.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($178.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - B360M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($92.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot - Signature Line 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($78.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Toshiba - OCZ TR200 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($57.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Toshiba - 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.09 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Mini Video Card ($449.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master - Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $990.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-06-04 15:53 EDT-0400

The laptop seems good but the build you sent is way too large for travel.

 

[logainofhades]

Ok, how about this case?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($178.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - B360M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($92.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot - Signature Line 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2666 Memory
Storage: Toshiba - OCZ TR200 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($57.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Toshiba - 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.09 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Mini Video Card ($449.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone - RVZ01B Mini ITX Desktop Case ($84.85 @ B&H)
Power Supply: Corsair - SF 450W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $997.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-06-05 10:09 EDT-0400